The Glory of God

[Sean James]

We may come to Christ just as we are and be completely transformed and healed by His grace!

In faith the woman of Phoenicia flung herself against the barriers that had been piled up between Jew and Gentile. Against discouragement, regardless of appearances that might have led her to doubt, she trusted the Saviour's love. It is thus that Christ desires us to trust in Him. The blessings of salvation are for every soul. Nothing but his own choice can prevent any man from becoming a partaker of the promise in Christ by the gospel.
   
When we live by faith on Jesus as the Son of God, nothing that the devil tries to use against us will be able to keep love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, goodness, faith and temperance--all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing--from being present in our lives!

Let us choose Christ on a moment-by-moment basis!

[Sean James]

What unity we find in complete surrender to Christ!

When the message of truth is presented in our day, there are many who, like the Jews, cry, Show us a sign. Work us a miracle. Christ wrought no miracle at the demand of the Pharisees. He wrought no miracle in the wilderness in answer to Satan's insinuations. He does not impart to us power to vindicate ourselves or to satisfy the demands of unbelief and pride. But the gospel is not without a sign of its divine origin. Is it not a miracle that we can break from the bondage of Satan? Enmity against Satan is not natural to the human heart; it is implanted by the grace of God. When one who has been controlled by a stubborn, wayward will is set free, and yields himself wholeheartedly to the drawing of God's heavenly agencies, a miracle is wrought; so also when a man who has been under strong delusion comes to understand moral truth. Every time a soul is converted, and learns to love God and keep His commandments, the promise of God is fulfilled, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you." Ezekiel 36:26. The change in human hearts, the transformation of human characters, is a miracle that reveals an ever-living Saviour, working to rescue souls. A consistent life in Christ is a great miracle. In the preaching of the word of God, the sign that should be manifest now and always is the presence of the Holy Spirit, to make the word a regenerating power to those that hear. This is God's witness before the world to the divine mission of His Son. 

Let us allow the great miracle of conversion not only to be our experience, but let us also invite others to yield unreservedly to Christ who alone has power to save all of us FULLY from sin and self to make us partakers of the divine nature whereby all of the fruits of the Spirit will be manifest through our lives without one missing! The miracle of conversion is such a blessing and there will be many who will come to Christ just before Jesus returns in power and great glory!!

[Sean James]

When we look away from the things which are seen to the things which are not seen, the value of eternal realities as they are manifest in Christ will be seen as infinitely more valuable than anything in this world. Let us value what God values--moral worth--and experience all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as long as we are in complete surrender to Christ by grace through faith! Then we will affectionally obey God because our lives are being transformed by His love!

Peter had expressed the faith of the twelve. Yet the disciples were still far from understanding Christ's mission. The opposition and misrepresentation of the priests and rulers, while it could not turn them away from Christ, still caused them great perplexity. They did not see their way clearly. The influence of their early training, the teaching of the rabbis, the power of tradition, still intercepted their view of truth. From time to time precious rays of light from Jesus shone upon them, yet often they were like men groping among shadows. But on this day, before they were brought face to face with the great trial of their faith, the Holy Spirit rested upon them in power. For a little time their eyes were turned away from "the things which are seen," to behold "the things which are not seen." 2 Corinthians 4:18. Beneath the guise of humanity they discerned the glory of the Son of God.

Let us see Jesus more clearly each day. Come spend a thoughtful hour upon the life of Christ and taste and see that He is good!

[Sean James]

The kingdom is being set up even now. All of the righteous on the earth are being assembled. Those who die before Jesus comes will be resurrected like Moses! Those who live until Jesus comes will be translated without seeing death, redeemed from among the living, like Enoch and Elijah! Let us be found faithful in Christ so we may fulfill our appointed destiny!

Moses upon the mount of transfiguration was a witness to Christ's victory over sin and death. He represented those who shall come forth from the grave at the resurrection of the just. Elijah, who had been translated to heaven without seeing death, represented those who will be living upon the earth at Christ's second coming, and who will be "changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;" when "this mortal must put on immortality," and "this corruptible must put on incorruption." 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. Jesus was clothed with the light of heaven, as He will appear when He shall come "the second time without sin unto salvation." For He will come "in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Hebrews 9:28; Mark 8:38. The Saviour's promise to the disciples was now fulfilled. Upon the mount the future kingdom of glory was represented in miniature,--Christ the King, Moses a representative of the risen saints, and Elijah of the translated ones. 

When we live by faith on Jesus as the Son of God, not only does He bring all of the fruits of the Spirit into our lives (Galatians 5:22-23), but He leads us to affectionately obey the law of life as revealed in Christ and proclaimed in glory from Sinai in the Ten Commandments! All His invitations are evidence of His power to make it happen in our lives, so we may be courageous witnesses of Christ to the glory of God!!

[Sean James]

Faith is not seeing the possibility--it is relying fully on the God who can do the impossible by His creative word, melting hearts of stone into new hearts that are truly converted, trusting that God is working all things together for good to them that love Him!

"If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed," said Jesus, "ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove." Though the grain of mustard seed is so small, it contains that same mysterious life principle which produces growth in the loftiest tree. When the mustard seed is cast into the ground, the tiny germ lays hold of every element that God has provided for its nutriment, and it speedily develops a sturdy growth. If you have faith like this, you will lay hold upon God's word, and upon all the helpful agencies He has appointed. Thus your faith will strengthen, and will bring to your aid the power of heaven. The obstacles that are piled by Satan across your path, though apparently as insurmountable as the eternal hills, shall disappear before the demand of faith. "Nothing shall be impossible unto you."

What a blessing it is to walk with Jesus and allow Him to give us His faith working by love, so that in all the trials we may face, we may experience His saving, abiding grace!

[Sean James]

If we are humble and teachable from having been with Jesus and surrendered fully to Him, He can use us most efficiently to bless others! Let us keep our eyes on Jesus today!

Before honor is humility. To fill a high place before men, Heaven chooses the worker who, like John the Baptist, takes a lowly place before God. The most childlike disciple is the most efficient in labor for God. The heavenly intelligences can co-operate with him who is seeking, not to exalt self, but to save souls. He who feels most deeply his need of divine aid will plead for it; and the Holy Spirit will give unto him glimpses of Jesus that will strengthen and uplift the soul. From communion with Christ he will go forth to work for those who are perishing in their sins. He is anointed for his mission; and he succeeds where many of the learned and intellectually wise would fail.

[Sean James]

If what you are seeking is not satisfying, why not go to the only One who knows what you are really desiring? Christ offers us true satisfaction in union and communion with Him--and there is true joy in His presence!

Jesus knew the wants of the soul. Pomp, riches, and honor cannot satisfy the heart. "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me." The rich, the poor, the high, the low, are alike welcome. He promises to relieve the burdened mind, to comfort the sorrowing, and to give hope to the despondent. Many of those who heard Jesus were mourners over disappointed hopes, many were nourishing a secret grief, many were seeking to satisfy their restless longing with the things of the world and the praise of men; but when all was gained, they found that they had toiled only to reach a broken cistern, from which they could not quench their thirst. Amid the glitter of the joyous scene they stood, dissatisfied and sad. That sudden cry, "If any man thirst," startled them from their sorrowful meditation, and as they listened to the words that followed, their minds kindled with a new hope. The Holy Spirit presented the symbol before them until they saw in it the offer of the priceless gift of salvation.

The gift of salvation is above all other gifts--and it is found only by abiding in Christ! He alone knows the deepest need of our souls! Let us yield fully to Him so all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing!

[Sean James]

As we behold Jesus, we become transformed in mind and character by yielding fully to Him so He can give us a new heart and a new mind!

The same power the spoke light into existence in the beginning brought light and life to the penitent woman, and by His creative word of love offered her a new beginning that was a true miracle! Wherever you find yourself today, Jesus offers you a new beginning by abiding fully in Him in full surrender! Then the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in your life without one missing as you let Christ the hope of glory reveal His grace through your life!

In His act of pardoning this woman and encouraging her to live a better life, the character of Jesus shines forth in the beauty of perfect righteousness. While He does not palliate sin, nor lessen the sense of guilt, He seeks not to condemn, but to save. The world had for this erring woman only contempt and scorn; but Jesus speaks words of comfort and hope. The Sinless One pities the weakness of the sinner, and reaches to her a helping hand. While the hypocritical Pharisees denounce, Jesus bids her, "Go, and sin no more."   

The invitation to "Go, and sin no more" (John 8:11) is spoken by the One who has power to keep us from falling, to uphold us in His plan that glorifies Him! Even if we do fall into sin, we can know that He will pardon and transform us by His grace, for He gives "grace for grace" (John 1:16). Then, abiding in Jesus, we find sin to be hateful through an appreciation of His character and communion with God, and we will not only delight to do His will, but delight to invite others to share the joy of His salvation!

[Sean James]

The only condition upon which the freedom of man is possible is that of becoming one with Christ.

When we are one with Christ, we have the purpose of the gospel--for Christ in us reveals all of the attributes of His divine nature by the power of His creative word leading us constantly in harmony with His divine law of love!

[Sean James]

Let us never forget the depth of love we see in Jesus coming to this earth to be our Savior! He left heaven to bring us into a union and communion with Himself that is likened to the oneness between Himself and our Heavenly Father! What wondrous love is this!

However much a shepherd may love his sheep, he loves his sons and daughters more. Jesus is not only our shepherd; He is our "everlasting Father." And He says, "I know Mine own, and Mine own know Me, even as the Father knoweth Me, and I know the Father." John 10:14, 15, R. V. What a statement is this!--the only-begotten Son, He who is in the bosom of the Father, He whom God has declared to be "the Man that is My fellow" (Zechariah 13:7),--the communion between Him and the eternal God is taken to represent the communion between Christ and His children on the earth!   

When our hearts truly experience this love by yielding to Christ fully as we behold Him continually, we experience all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! The blessing of intimacy with God far exceeds the temporary pleasures of sin for a season and become the lasting reason for us to abide in Christ in every experience of life, no matter how trying!

[Sean James]

Simple yet profound is what Jesus has done for us. Only by Him is there salvation--an experience that is infinite!

The science of salvation cannot be explained; but it can be known by experience. Only he who sees his own sinfulness can discern the preciousness of the Saviour.   

Yielding fully the heart to Christ we can have all of the fruits of the Spirit manifest in the life by the divine nature without one missing; then the path of eternal life becomes brighter from day to day!

[Sean James]

We can see Jesus in the true story of the good Samaritan. As Jesus comes to live in our hearts today as we surrender fully to Him, we can let Him live out His merciful, healing life to bless all those around us!

In the story of the good Samaritan, Christ illustrates the nature of true religion. He shows that it consists not in systems, creeds, or rites, but in the performance of loving deeds, in bringing the greatest good to others, in genuine goodness.   

When the loveliness of Jesus is manifest through us, all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in the life without one missing as we not only live in obedience to the law of love, but let God give us divine appointments with those who are in need of help wherever we find them in life's path.

[Sean James]

God is building His kingdom upon the eternal foundation of His word. Let us yield fully to the Jesus in His infinite loveliness, for by His creative word the Holy Spirit has power to recreate our hearts and minds and imbue us with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing--even amid the most difficult earthly situations!

Now, as in Christ's day, the work of God's kingdom lies not with those who are clamoring for recognition and support by earthly rulers and human laws, but with those who are declaring to the people in His name those spiritual truths that will work in the receivers the experience of Paul: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Galatians 2:20. Then they will labor as did Paul for the benefit of men. He said, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20. 

As we abide in Christ we can be ambassadors of the world to come while still in this dark speck of a world. We may not realize we are changing other people's lives, but by our consistent choice to yield to Christ, others also may realize that this is where true happiness is found, for happiness is the result of holiness!

[Sean James]

 The Saviour regards with infinite tenderness the souls whom He has purchased with His own blood. They are the claim of His love. He looks upon them with unutterable longing. His heart is drawn out, not only to the best-behaved children, but to those who have by inheritance objectionable traits of character. Many parents do not understand how much they are responsible for these traits in their children. They have not the tenderness and wisdom to deal with the erring ones whom they have made what they are. But Jesus looks upon these children with pity. He traces from cause to effect.

Let us see the value of each person the way Jesus sees them, and treat all with the love and compassion so the Holy Spirit may reach the heart. All of God's children--regardless of our age--may come to Christ and admit that we have fallen short of God's glory by sin (Romans 3:23); we may believe in the gift of our Father in heaven who so loved us to save us by sending His Son Jesus to save us (John 3:16); and then we may freely confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). As we accept the gift of salvation, a new heart imbued with the Holy Spirit is given to us (Ezekiel 36:26-27), and the mind of Christ is the gift of this new experience (Philippians 2:5) as we accept God's promises and become partakers of the "divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4), which is ever manifest in the life with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing (Galatians 5:22-23).

[Sean James]

Simplify. Self-surrender is the substance of the teachings of Christ.

When the whole heart is surrendered to Christ, He recreates it into His image and pours all of the fruits of the Spirit into the life without one missing! What a miracle! May this be your experience today and always!